SAM Automation & Digital Monitoring make Italian market debut

At PLAST 2023 in Milan, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Italia showcases the company’s own-label robotics series, alongside two energy-efficient and compact IntElect machines equipped with digital tools and remote monitoring.

Hall 24, Stand D152 – 5 to 8 September 2023

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery (Italia) presents two state-of-the-art exhibits at PLAST 2023. With the core themes focused on sustainability and energy savings, two energy-efficient 130 ton IntElect models equipped with myConnect monitoring and remote diagnostics take centre stage on Stand D152 in Hall 24.

Showcasing itself as a ‘one-stop’ supplier of advanced and sustainable all-electric injection moulding systems, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will release its machine status systems to the Italian market. Connected to both the compact IntElect automotive exhibit, as well as the multi-component IntElect Multi machine, the modular myConnect platform provides the tools to constantly monitor machine parameters and production data, from anywhere. 

Designed to minimise disruptions and maintain production schedules, the wide variety of different functionalities will be demonstrated at company’s dedicated digitisation terminal. Visitors will be able to see live data being captured from both IntElect production cells.

With the four-day event expected to attract over 60,000 visitors, General Manager Paolo Zirondoli highlights the importance of the Italian market and sector opportunities. “Packaging and medical are continuing to perform strongly and consumer goods remains as important as ever. All of these industries are catered for by our all-electric IntElect machine series. Demand for these efficient machines remains high.”

Zirondoli adds that customers are increasingly seeking complete production packages including machines and integrated robotics, citing that they want "everything from a single source".  Corroborating the value of being able to now source robotics designed specifically for injection moulding machines, he adds: “The SAM (Sumitomo (SHI) Demag. Automation. Machine) is our in-house robot series. Fully integrated into the production cell, customers now benefit from a small injection moulding footprint comprising robot and material handling technology.” This will be the first presentation of SAM Automation to the Italian market.

With the industrial standardized “IO-Link” communication system, intelligent sensors and actuators can be connected to the automation system. This means the SAM series fully meets future Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing requirements. Additionally, the robots all incorporate the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s myConnect web-based software solution. Giving customers direct access to a wide range of fully networked support services to help better manage inefficiencies, reduce costs, optimise total cost of ownership, troubleshoot errors and minimise downtime.

Featured on the PLAST booth is an IntElect 130/520-560 equipped with a SAM-C5 handle&place  robot. Manufacturing an automotive gear stick cover, the cell features a synchronised conveyor belt. Every element of the injection moulding process is enclosed within the low height production cell that is up to 50 percent smaller than conventional fully-enclosed cells. “Coupled with total machine control, full mechanical and software integration, a protective flap to safeguard operators, plus extendable doors, the result is a compact production cell that is delivered fully CE-certified,” reports Italy’s General Manager.

The other exciting exhibit features an IntElect Multi-component injection moulding machine. Demonstrating the company’s expertise in this market, the IntElect multi 130/520x520-450h-250v, features a second, vertically positioned injection unit, with an electric turntable. Processing the combination of hard and soft plastic - ABS and TPE – visitors can see an electronic joystick controller in production, reports Zirondoli. “Historically, multi-component machines used in the consumer goods market have been designed on a large footprint to accommodate the tool and turntable. By increasing the mould space on the IntElect Multi, the Sumitomo (SHI) Demag team have succeeded in engineering an energy-efficient, dynamic, multi-component machine that is even more compact.”

The IntElect’s servo technology and parallel function is critical for the smooth and fast rotation of the mould between the injection of the first and second material. As well as ensuring  components are perfectly positioned to receive the second shot, this higher precision results in a far shorter cycle times compared to earlier multi-component moulding concepts.

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has shaped the development of the plastics industry from its very beginning. As a specialist for injection moulding machines for plastics processing, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag and its Japanese parent company are leading the industry.

The global development and production network of Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is comprised of four facilities in Japan, Germany and China with more than 3,100 employees. The product portfolio includes all-electric, hydraulic and hybrid injection moulding machines with clamping forces of between 500 and 15.000 kN. With more than 159,000 installed machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is present in important global markets and ranks among the largest manufacturers of injection moulding machines in the world.

At Sumitomo’s headquarters in Chiba, Japan, the company manufactures machines with clamping forces in the small to medium range. Nearly 95 % of all delivered machines are equipped with an all-electric drive concept. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s German facilities in Schwaig and Wiehe produce the Systec Servo range with hybrid drive as well as the El-Exis SP and Systec SP range of high-speed, high-performance machines. The all-electric IntElect range for international customers is also being produced in Germany.

As early as 1998, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag set up its first production site in Ningbo/China. In 2015, the Chinese subsidiary Demag Plastics Machinery (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. installed a new facility with a 13,000 m² floor space. It is earmarked for the production of the Systec C range with clamping forces of between 500 and 10,000 kN for the Asian market.

In addition to injection moulding machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag offers customised and standardised systems for the part handling automation, technical and process solutions for special applications, tailored services and service concepts as well as a range of financial options to support investment in injection moulding machines.

With its comprehensive sales and service network of subsidiaries and agencies, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is present in all major markets.